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01/31/2005 10:34 PM - WINNIPEG, Manitoba  An 18-save shutout by Alex Auld thwarted another solid but ultimately fruitless effort by the Grand Rapids Griffins on Monday, as the Manitoba Moose skated to a 2-0 victory in the longtime rivals first-ever meeting at the new MTS Centre.

Jason Kings first period goal stood as the only lamp-lighter until Nathan Smiths empty net tally in the final minute of play. The Griffins Joey MacDonald finished with 25 saves, several of the spectacular variety, against one of the AHLs top clubs, but it was not enough to prevent his team from dropping its fourth straight game and 15th in the last 18 tries.

Grand Rapids (21-21-1-1) will have another shot at the Moose (30-11-1-5) on Tuesday in an 8:30 p.m. rematch in Winnipeg.

The Griffins found themselves in a familiar early hole after surrendering the first goal for the 14th time in their last 18 games. Midway through the opening period, Peter Sarno dug the puck out of the corner and fed a centering pass to King, who beat MacDonald with a low shot at the 12:18 mark.

The score remained 1-0 into the second intermission despite a strong middle frame by the Griffins, who were forced to kill off seven minutes in penalties during the first 7:36 of the period. MacDonald made several stellar stops both during the penalty kills and afterward, totaling 13 for the period.

Unfortunately, Grand Rapids momentum did not carry over into the third, as the Moose held a 9-3 shot advantage over the final 20 minutes. MacDonald went to the bench in favor of an extra attacker with 43 seconds left, enabling Smith to score into the vacated cage with 35 ticks remaining.

The Griffins, 3-14-0-1 since Dec. 17, remain tied with Houston for fifth place in the West Division. Grand Rapids now has suffered two shutouts in its last four games and five blankings in its last 17 affairs.